IShowSpeed Sidelines Peller, Celebrates with Jadrolita in Viral Lagos Visit

In a dramatic turn of events during his high-energy tour of Nigeria’s commercial capital, American streaming sensation Darren Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, has left social media buzzing after a series of starkly different interactions with local creators. While the YouTube star embraced a collaboration with the robotic-themed TikToker Jadrolita (Jarvis), he notably avoided repeated attempts by her former partner and fellow streamer, Peller, to share the spotlight.

The snub occurred on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, a day that doubled as IShowSpeed’s 21st birthday and a historic milestone in his digital career. As the streamer moved through the dense traffic and vibrant markets of Lagos, Peller was spotted making desperate attempts to catch his idol’s eye. In scenes that quickly went viral, Peller was seen being intercepted by Speed’s rigorous security detail on multiple occasions.

At one point, the local streamer escalated his efforts by chasing IShowSpeed’s convoy on a horse, shouting pleas for a collaboration. “I have suffered because of you!” Peller reportedly called out, referencing his long-standing admiration for the American. Despite the theatrical effort, the convoy did not stop, and IShowSpeed remained seemingly unaware or indifferent to the pursuit, leaving Peller to face ridicule and mixed reactions from fans online.

In contrast, the atmosphere was entirely different when IShowSpeed encountered Jadrolita later that evening. The “Human AI” creator, who has built a massive following with her unique robot persona, successfully linked up with the visitor during a nighttime gathering. Jadrolita shared a lively video on her Instagram, showing the two in a spirited session where she taught him local dance moves.

The TikTok star used the opportunity to wish Speed a happy birthday and congratulate him on his monumental achievement of reaching 50 million YouTube subscribers. Her post, captioned with emotional emojis, highlighted a moment of genuine cultural exchange—something Speed has championed throughout his “Speed Does Africa” tour. This successful interaction served as a sharp juxtaposition to Peller’s fruitless chase earlier in the day.

The day’s events were punctuated by a historic digital feat. At approximately 6:00 pm, while stuck in the legendary Lagos traffic, IShowSpeed’s channel crossed the 50 million subscriber mark. He celebrated the moment in his signature chaotic style, shoving his face into a birthday cake atop a vehicle as crowds of Lagosians cheered. The milestone makes him the first Black individual content creator to reach such a figure on the platform.

The streamer’s visit, managed by the talent agency The Plug, has been a whirlwind of cultural immersion. Beyond the creator drama, Speed visited the Nike Art Gallery, where he was dressed in traditional Yoruba Dansiki and given the name “Mojọ́láolúwà.” He also sampled Nigerian jollof rice at Freedom Park, declaring it superior to other versions he had tasted on his 20-country tour across the continent.

As the “Speed Does Africa” tour continues, the conversation in the Nigerian digital space remains focused on the “snub” of Peller. While some fans praised Peller’s persistence as an “amazing push” for visibility, others viewed the contrast with Jadrolita’s seamless meeting as a lesson in the importance of strategic positioning over aggressive pursuit. Regardless of the drama, IShowSpeed’s stay in Lagos has cemented the city as a critical hub for global creator culture.